Mansfield Kindergarten promotes a holistic approach to children’s learning and development. All children are provided a quality education within a nurturing, stimulating and caring environment. The kindergarten is managed by the parents of children currently attending, who join us in being committed to the child safe standards. We want our children to be safe, happy and empowered.

The pedagogy underlining the philosophy of our kindergarten is based on social constructivism; people are active creators of knowledge, constructing understanding of their worlds through their experiences, social interactions and reflection with others.

We strive to empower each child and encourage them to question and formulate their own individualised ideas. These ideas are what develop our curriculum. All children’s perspectives, culture and history are respected and included. Our children feel safe and heard, and consequently, experience positive outcomes. Our programs provide choice and opportunities for both shared activity and independent play. Emotional regulation is scaffolded, as is social play and conflict resolution.

Respect for diversity and our environment are fostered both onsite and offsite at Earth Kinder. Our Earth Kinder program promotes ecological literacy through close contact with nature in all seasons. This program in particular builds resilience, risk taking, adventure and imagination.

As a community kinder, we nurture the contribution and collaboration of all families and value our relationships with the wider community. We strive to infuse each child’s culture into our program, including those of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. Mansfield Kindergarten acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of the land on which we learn and play, the Taungurung people. We teach our children about reconciliation and are actively contributing to our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

We also respect our team’s culture and history and are proud that each staff member brings their own unique qualities to the kinder which they use to co-construct learning with both children and families. Consistently, they demonstrate empathy, respect, warmth and a passion for learning. Most importantly, they contribute to an organisational culture of child safety.

Mansfield Kindergarten is a Child Safe Organisation

Child Safe Standard 1: Culturally Safe Environments

Mansfield Kindergarten is a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

Child Safe Standard 2: Child Safety and Wellbeing is Embedded in Leadership, Governance and Culture

Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in the Mansfield Kindergarten organisational leadership, governance and culture.

Child Safe Standard 3: Child and Student Empowerment

Mansfield Kindergarten ensures that children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Child Safe Standard 4: Family Engagement

Mansfield Kindergarten ensures that families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Child Safe Standard 5: Diversity and Equity

Mansfield Kindergarten ensures that equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

Child Safe Standard 6: Suitable Staff and Volunteers

People working with children and young people at Mansfield Kindergarten are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Child Safe Standard 7: Complaints Processes

Mansfield Kindergarten ensures that processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.

Child Safe Standard 8: Child Safety Knowledge, Skills and Awareness

Staff and volunteers at Mansfield Kindergarten are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Child Safe Standard 9: Child Safety to Physical and Online Environments

Physical and online environments at Mansfield Kindergarten promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Child Safe Standard 10: Review of Child Safety Practices

At Mansfield Kindergarten implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Child Safe Standard 11: Implementation of Child Safety Practice

Mansfield Kindergarten ensures that policies and procedures document how our kinder is safe for children and young people.